# **Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees (TWWR)** **Charity Number: 1175601** _{For Charitable Incorporated Organisation}_ **Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Period 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025** _Page 1 of 9_ **Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees** Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2025 ## **Reference & Administration Details** ## **Charity name: Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees** Other names charity is known by: TWWR Charity number: 1175601 Charity's operating address: 1 Bishops Down Cottages, Bishops Down Park Rd, Tunbridge Wells Postcode: TN4 8XY ## **Names of the Charity Trustees who Manage the Charity** |**_Trustee Name_**|**_Office_**|**_Appointed_**|**_Retired_**| |---|---|---|---| |Ellie Batten||**30.10.2020**|| |Hazel Beevers||**30.10.2020**|| |Maureen Utting||**12.09.2022**|| |Kate Hashemi-Ayling|**Secretary**|**12.09.2022**|| |Martin Brice|**Chair**|**03.08.2018**|| |Naeema Anjarwalla||**11.09.2019**|| ## **Names & Addresses of Advisors** _**Name Address & Postcode**_ Bank: CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4JQ Bank: Metro Bank 1 Southampton Row, London WC1B 5HA _Page 2 of 9_ **Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees** Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2025 ## **Structure, Governance & Management** ## **Description of the Charity's Trusts** **Type of Governing Document:** CIO - FOUNDATION REGISTERED 07 NOV 2017 **How the Charity is Constituted:** Charitable Incorporated Organisation **Trustee Selection Methods:** Trustees are appointed or reappointed at the meetings of the Trustees as necessary. ## **Additional Governance Issues** There is a Safeguarding Policy in place and Disclosure and Barring Service checks are carried out at an enhanced level for both vulnerable adults and children for all volunteers and Trustees. ## **Objectives & Activities** ## **Summary of the Objects of the Charity as set out in its Governing Document** 1. For the relief of those seeking asylum and those granted refugee status and their dependents in Tunbridge Wells: - a. the relief of poverty or financial hardship; - b. the preservation and protection of good mental and physical health; - c. the advancement of their education and training so as to advance them in life and assist them to adapt within a new community. 2. To advance the education of the public in general about the rights, needs and issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers. ## **Summary of the Main Activities Undertaken for the Public Benefit in Relation to the Charity's Objects** One of the main things TWWR does is to provide a small group of volunteers for each family or individual and these volunteers are able to offer support and respond to the needs of the refugees. Volunteers undertake such things as spending time having conversations with the refugees, helping them understand cultural expectations, helping with understanding UK systems, developing English skills, taking them to appointments, taking them out, helping them apply for jobs and anything else the refugees might require. These groups of volunteers are greatly appreciated by the refugees who report feeling less isolated and lonely and that they are made to feel welcome. The people from Ukraine have been supported in a different way. This is because they have been placed mainly with UK residents who often support the Ukrainians with day to day life. Also, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) organised support from various agencies including TWWR for the Ukrainians. The aim was to ensure support over a wide number of areas and to reduce duplication of support. TWWR was asked to concentrate on providing English lessons for the Ukrainians, supporting some young people in school and providing some entertainment and trips for the families in the school holidays. A working group of volunteers within TWWR organised the _Page 3 of 9_ **Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees** Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2025 support for the people from Ukraine and raised funds to cover the costs. This included some classes teaching English run by volunteers and also some classes run by self-employed tutors who were paid. Some pupils from Ukraine were also supported in secondary schools by TWWR volunteers and a number of activities were organised for the families. The Ukrainians have settled well into the local community and most of them now have their own accommodation and many of them are working. The Ukrainians have become mainly self-sufficient and for example, no trips in the holidays have been organised by TWWR as the Ukrainians are able to make their own arrangements. Tuition classes in English for the adults continued until the end of June 2024. At this point, the classes were stopped as many of the participants were working. All the participants had at least basic English skills and the majority spoke and understood English at a reasonable level and were able to manage everyday communications. Some volunteers continue to support some young people from Ukraine in their schools. Volunteers and refugees from all countries are able to request funding from TWWR for such things as clothes, equipment, furniture and activities. The Trustees make the decisions on the allocation of funding according to the need and circumstances of the refugees. The Trustees are aware that various changes of circumstances can cause times of hardship and we have been able to support some of the refugees with much needed funds during these times. Due to the rules governing Universal Credit, some of the new families arriving in Tunbridge Wells this year have received a limited amount of benefit money. TWWR has been able to support these families in a number of ways including financially when necessary. The weekly Conversation Classes run by TWWR continued to thrive during this year and we continue to be grateful to The Mosaic Centre for the use of their facilities. Tuition in English, Maths and Science for the young people taking GCSEs and A Levels continued. This was partly provided by volunteers and partly through paid tutors. TWWR has supported a young person who has dyslexia through paying for weekly tuition. We have also been able to support some young people financially at college and university. TWWR has continued to support the refugees to find work when they are able to do this. All the activities described above helped TWWR to meet its objectives to relieve poverty, to preserve and protect good mental and physical health and to advance the education and training of the refugees. ## **Additional Details of Objectives & Activities** All the activities we provide are completely dependent on volunteers and we have no paid workers. We are very grateful to the volunteers for all the work they put into supporting the refugees. ## **Achievements & Performance** ## **Statutory Declaration** The trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties. _Page 4 of 9_ **Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees** Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2025 ## **Summary of the Main Achievements of the Charity for the Year** TWWR continues to support any refugees and asylum seekers we are aware of in the borough of Tunbridge Wells who want our input. TWWR continued to be responsible for providing supplementary English classes for the people from Ukraine. These classes were very successful and all the participants had at least a basic understanding of English and the majority were at a level where they could use English in their daily lives. Their improved English skills meant that many of the participants obtained employment and were no longer able to attend the English classes. It was therefore decided to stop the classes at the end of June 2024. Some of the Ukrainians started to attend the weekly Conversation Group in order to practice and improve their skills. Volunteers continued to support some Ukrainian young people in their schools and this was greatly appreciated by the school staff as well as the young people. This has been a very successful intervention for the Ukrainians. During the summer and autumn of 2024, several new families moved into the borough of Tunbridge Wells, mostly from Afghanistan. They were made to feel welcome by the volunteers and greatly appreciated all the practical and emotional help given. Some of the new families had their Universal Credit capped because they were not working. They did not work for a variety of reasons including not able to speak English, child care commitments and medical issues. Managing their finances was a huge challenge for these families and TWWR volunteers helped in a variety of ways including introducing them to Community Larders and helping them find the best deals for their utility bills. TWWR also provided some financial support such as helping with the cost of school uniforms and equipment. Volunteers taught the adults English on a regular basis and some of the children received support in school. Some of the families had significant medical issues and were very grateful for the support volunteers gave then in accessing the relevant services and taking them to appointments. All the families commented how much the input of the TWWR volunteers helped them particularly since the organisation commissioned to support them no longer arranges transport. Supporting the education of the children continued to be a priority for TWWR. It is felt that making good progress in the education system will greatly help with integration into the local community. One young person was identified as having literacy difficulties and TWWR paid for weekly tuition to address these difficulties. This person is making steady progress and is performing better at school. TWWR bought a scanning pen for another young person as recommended by the staff at the special school. This helps the young person access written material which otherwise would not be possible. Where needed, TWWR continued to provide tuition in English, Maths and Science to those pupils taking GCSEs or A Levels. All the parents and pupils reported that they appreciated the tutoring and it helped with the progress made by the pupils. We were really pleased when 6 young people obtained the grades that enabled them to start at university in September 2024. TWWR was able to give these young people and the 2 young people continuing their university courses some monthly financial support. This helped to reduce the anxiety about money and enabled the students to concentrate on their courses. In July 2024 we were very proud when 2 young people obtained their degrees. Throughout the year, TWWR continued to respond to requests from the refugees for such things as furniture, white goods, clothes and educational equipment. TWWR continues to try and find these items through requests to the volunteers or through charity shops. If this is not possible and Trustees agree, TWWR has bought the goods. Some of the refugees have faced significant changes in their circumstances this year. Luckily, TWWR volunteers have been able to give emotional and practical _Page 5 of 9_ **Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees** Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2025 support which has been of great benefit and helped reduce anxiety. Because of the significant change in circumstances for these refugees, the Trustees agreed to give some financial support to them such as help with the rent for a limited period of time. The cost of living continues to be a challenge for all the refugees as even those in work are mostly on the minimum wage. All the families have been grateful for the financial help TWWR has been able to give them and it has helped them through these difficult times. Some funds were also provided for activities such as school clubs, school trips, football and other clubs and gym membership. An outing to experience Christmas lights was organised and was greatly enjoyed by everyone. These activities help the participants become part of the community and help with emotional wellbeing. We feel these examples show the positive difference TWWR has made to the lives of the refugees who report feeling well supported by TWWR in their ambitions to become useful members of their local community. ## **Financial Review** ## **Brief Statement of the Charity's Policy on Reserves** On 5[th] April 2025 TWWR had £27,603 in the bank. Some of these funds are restricted at the request of the donors such as for supporting students at university and supporting newly arrived refugees. The main financial risk to the charity is not receiving grants. We keep enough funds to cover around 3 month’s costs and to meet any unforeseen expenditure. We also apply for grants on a regular basis. ## **Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit** Not applicable. ## **Going concern** The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. ## **Further Financial Review Details** We have been successful with our grant applications this year and we are very grateful to Kent Community Foundation who have continued to support us. Gatwick Airport Community Fund, The Round Table and Capital have also generously given us funds. We have some supporters who donate on a monthly basis for which we are very grateful and we also receive some funding from the Tunbridge Wells Lotto. We have been grateful to receive some generous donations from supporters which included money towards the cost of applying for citizenship and help towards rent arrears. _Page 6 of 9_ **Tunbridge Wells Welcomes Refugees** Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2025 ## **External scrutiny** The charity’s gross income for the year did not exceed £25,000. In accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the trustees are therefore not required to have the accounts independently examined or audited. ## **Statutory Notes to the Accounts** ## **Particulars of Any Outstanding Guarantee Given by the CIO** N/A ## **Other Optional Information** In the coming year, TWWR will continue to support any refugees and asylum seekers in the borough of Tunbridge Wells who want our help. We will provide a warm welcome to any refugees and asylum seekers new to Tunbridge Wells. For the refugees already here, we will continue with the type of support we already give and adapt this in response to requests and feedback from the refugees. TWWR will continue to prioritise the areas of education and employment for all the people we support. We will also endeavour to respond when people are experiencing financial hardship, either through providing funds or finding other support. ## **Declaration** ## **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above.** Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees **Signature(s): Full Name(s):** Martin Brice Maureen Utting **Position(s):** Chair Trustee **Date:** 8/12/2025 8/12/2025 _Page 7 of 9_ CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe period from 06ffj412024 0510412025 Sectlon A Recel ts and ments Uthre8trkt•d fund$ Endowrn•nt lund$ Restrfcted lunds Total fundg Last yeai to th* rn•r•it£ tr*th• rnarMt£ tr*ttr• nbJr•Ét £ A1 Rernl Lbn8lKJn5 4.n1 16.932 97,906 Cbn#lthS- Grfl nk InlÉrn&t 417 Sub total(Gross income forAR) 1B.932 24.318 A2 A888t and Inv8Stm*nt Sa￿$. 500 tAb￿ . Sub total 5.386 18,132 24,It8 98,914 A3P ont• CapliAI Sank chargb emffll & adwinislrallon Educat￿Tr su Engltsh & dnvln 19 380 399 606 ol￿ expeD5e5 2a6 V￿rte0￿1 Sub tot81 41.562 42.550 82,073 A4 Al￿1 and Inve8trneht pur¢ha808,1geo tablo) Sub total Totalpym•trJts 41,562 Netof recelMs/fpaymerts) AS TranBferB bets¥oen funds A6 Cash lund¥ last yearend Co$h flthds thls y•ar•nd 4.098 22.630 10.532 10.841 5,01• 22,￿$ 27,604 46,136 Puge8of 9 Soctlon B Statement of assots and Ilabilities attho end of the perlod Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endo%Yment fundi B1 Ca8hfundB ol bAnk 1020 22.553 Totslcash funds 5,020 22,583 Unr•strictgd funds ID nNro¥t E R•*trfctqd funds Endowm•nt fundB to ￿￿r•S1 £ l)•tails to nwiresl £ Qrr•ntvllluv Dots118 BJ Inv•$tm¢nl a$$•ts o￿all5 B4 A880t8 r•talnod fortho chartty's ¢)Yffl Fwd towfvlGh Dots118 BS Llab1161Jo$ SvJnod by one or￿￿ trustO08on b8haW Df all th8 tW5te85 S￿natur Prhit Nerne Date ofv4proval Martin Brice 08112r2025 Maureen Utting 0811212025 Page9of 9